{"id":6789,"date":"2024-01-01T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prod.zbt.compositas.io\/?post_type=project&p=6789"},"modified":"2025-08-18T13:17:30","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T13:17:30","slug":"grete","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/grete\/","title":{"rendered":"GRETE \u2013 Graphite PPS as an Alternative to PFAS"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

GRETE – Graphite PPS as an Alternative to PFAS<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

PFAS could soon be banned. Could graphite polyphenylene sufide be an alternative for heat exchanger plates? The ZBT is developing an extrusion process for this material.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Manufacturers of\u00a0heat exchangers<\/b>\u00a0are currently facing a central issue: the preferred material for an important temperature range may soon no longer be available \u2013 however, a promising alternative material is still too complex and expensive to use. A\u00a0ZBT research project<\/b>\u00a0is now addressing this challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \"\"\n
\n <\/figure>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n

<\/h2>\n

Plastic heat exchangers for the temperature range of 80\u00b0C to 130\u00b0C are currently made from fluorinated or partially fluorinated thermoplastics. These very durable materials belong to the group of\u00a0PFAS<\/b>\u00a0(per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Chemical compounds of this group are also known as forever chemicals due to their extremely long durability. They are not biodegradable, accumulate in the environment, animals, and humans, and lead to health risks. Therefore, this group of chemicals could\u00a0soon be banned<\/b>\u00a0in the EU.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \"\"\n
\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n

Graphite-PPS: durable and highly conductive<\/h2>\n

A possible alternative:\u00a0Graphite-PPS<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 graphite-filled polyphenylene sulphide. It is highly resistant to temperature and media and conducts both heat and electricity very well. However, this material is not suitable for film extrusion.<\/p>\n

A research project with significant involvement from ZBT is currently developing an\u00a0innovative process<\/b>\u00a0to enable the extrusion of Graphite-PPS sheets nonetheless. To achieve this, extensive studies on the\u00a0extrusion<\/b>\u00a0of thermally and electrically conductive Graphite-PPS sheets using a\u00a0wide-slot die<\/b>\u00a0will be carried out. Such a process would also be suitable for the production of\u00a0bipolar plates\u00a0for high-temperature PEM\u00a0fuel cells. Therefore, the project will also optimise compound materials that are specifically tailored to the respective application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

Extrusion and embossing for heat exchangers and fuel cells<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

The process to be developed is intended to enable the extrusion of the sheets in the desired shape and size. Subsequently, the extruded sheets will undergo an\u00a0embossing process<\/b>, in which corresponding channel structures are introduced. For both applications, embossing tools need to be researched and developed to enable precise and efficient embossing of the sheets.<\/p>\n

The project concludes with the development and research of new heat exchangers and HT-PEM fuel cells based on the developed Graphite-PPS sheets. For this purpose, the sheets will be qualified in terms of their\u00a0performance and durability<\/b>\u00a0in the fuel cell as well as in the heat exchanger. Various tests and analyses will be carried out to evaluate the properties and suitability of the sheets for the respective applications.<\/p>\n

An important aspect of the project is to optimise the\u00a0thermal and electrical conductivity<\/b>\u00a0of the Graphite-PPS sheets. This is crucial for the efficiency and performance of the\u00a0heat exchangers and fuel cells<\/b>. By using graphite as a conductive material, the sheets can ensure effective heat transfer while also providing electrical conductivity for use in fuel cells.<\/p>\n